Natural wine bar LOC has expanded its day-trade offering, opening up as a coffee shop from 7am weekdays.

Relaxed, welcoming and friendly. That’s how owner Olivia Moore describes LOC Bottle Bar.

Sitting down to chat with Olivia about LOC’s recent turn into café trade, it’s clear the community she’s built around herself is strong.

Customer after customer rolls in for coffee and a pastry, almost all known by name to Olivia and her staff.

LOC Bottle Bar opened in November last year, just after the three-day state lockdown, but only opened for coffee this week.

Olivia set out to create a venue with the vibe of a pub but with the offerings of a wine bar, drawing inspiration from the natural wine bars of the UK and Europe.

The choice to incorporate day trade into the business was prompted by the July seven-day state lockdown and the closure of the café next door, Deli on Pulteney. With little service around Hindmarsh Square for coffee, the time felt right to expand LOC’s offering.

The wine bar is no stranger to the breakfast scene, having hosted its Sunday TOAST breakfast and wine series throughout the winter months.

Those looking for a morning glass of vino will still have to wait until 11am when the wine bar can legally pour booze, but from 7am Monday to Friday, LOC will be pulling flat whites and filters aplenty.

A tiny hole-in-the-wall next door to the Pullman, the space shifts easily between bar and café service.

Inside, the dark blue bench that serves as point of service is now home to a shiny new La Marzocco espresso machine, stacked high with cups by ES Ceramics, designed to match LOC’s pre-existing plates.

LOC’s approach to coffee is the same as its approach to wine: start with a good product and go from there.

“I hate bad coffee, everyone does,” laughs Olivia.

Olivia Moore hates bad coffee

Going forward, the plan is to have a rotating roster of suppliers for beans, but at the moment the coffee, which is brewed espresso or filter, comes from Coffee in Common, and is available with full cream or oat milk.

The same concept will apply to the pastries, currently supplied by Prove Patisserie.

You’ll find plain and almond croissants on offer, as well as a specialty item, such as pain au chocolat or an escargot, to be changed daily.

As far as savoury options, the team are experimenting with some open-toasted sandwiches.

“People appreciate the simple menu,” says Olivia.

All hot drinks are priced the same, and with only a few snacks on offer, the choice is made relatively simple. If you’re unsure of what to order, the team encourage a chat with staff.

“It’s more engaging and fun that way,” Olivia says.

LOC Bottle Bar is open 7am to 3pm for coffee Monday to Friday and 3pm til late for wine (closed Mondays).